I have often seen a pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos in a group of trees on the way home from work, when I do not have my camera. We also once had a pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos come to our backyard feeder; on the day I was rushing to an appointment so I did not have a chance to get my camera to take any photographs. On this Sunday, I decided, since the weather was so nice, I would try to find the Gang-gang Cockatoos that seem to frequent this neighbourhood. I am glad I went out, as not only did I briefly find the Gang-gangs, I also captured a few other interesting sights with my camera. It was a lovely finish to the weekend.
Read MoreA walk around the National Arboretum and Coombs on Sunday, 26 August 2018
The weather was supposed to be atrocious but it ended up being a very nice day. I had wanted to wander around Barrer Hill in the National Arboretum as it I thought there may be some interesting things to see. On this Sunday, the clouds started to clear but they were replaced by a fog around the hill. Despite the weather conditions I found a number of birds, and even some kangaroos to photograph. I really enjoyed the morning and I hope you like the photographs.
Read MoreA walk around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 25 August 2018
We decided to have a quiet weekend this weekend so I took the opportunity to go for a walk around Red Hill. The weather was against me again as it was a very cloudy start to the day with the sky mainly filled with ominous, dark grey clouds that seemed to mean business but were too high to really be serious about raining. While they did not open-up when I was out they kept the sun hidden away reducing the ambient light. Despite the lack of good lighting I still had an enjoyable walk. I saw some sights I had no hope of catching with my camera because of the light condition but it was a lovely start to the day. As always on Red Hill there were kangaroos, cockatoos, rosellas, wood ducks, magpies, etc. The hill is getting ready for spring with all the birds seeming to know the seasons will change soon. I have noted some locations of nesting magpies so hopefully I can return shortly to photograph the feeding of young ones. I hope you enjoy these photographs.
Read MoreA walk from the Yarralumla Equestrian Centre on Sunday, 19 August 2018
The weather on Sunday, 19 August 2018 did not start out promising but improved as the morning went on. I had been wanting for a while to start a walk at the Yarralumla Equestrian Centre then cross over the Molonglo River into a pine plantation behind the National Zoo. On parking at the centre I was greeted immediately on leaving my car by some White-winged Choughs, which was a good omen as I always had birds around me. I could not always photograph them but they were enough to distract me for an extra hour when I should have been heading home. It was a lovely distraction that made a lovely start to a Sunday.
Read MoreA walk around Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve on Sunday, 12 August 2018
I hopped in my car for the 15 minute drive to the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve. It was an easy trip as google maps had already given me an idea of how to get there. It was slightly cold when I started walking, which was not surprising as the starting point was labelled as a 'frost hollow'. However, the walk warmed up as the sun rose. The bush also started to come alive with birds. I really had a lovely few hours wandering around in this bush setting just on the verge of Canberra city itself.
Read MoreOne particular tree in Hughes on Saturday, 11 August 2018
I was able to go for a Saturday morning walk today, I was trying to find Gang-gang cockatoos that I had seen over the last two days when I did not have my camera with me. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in my quest but I did come across a eucalyptus tree that had a number of different varieties of birds in it. There were Galahs, Crimson Rosellas, Eastern Rosellas, King-Parrots, Australian Magpies, Pied Currawongs and, of course, Noisy Miners. It was, as if this tree somehow had the the one source of sustainment that all these birds needed. I have begun to notice in my walks that often there is a single tree that seems to be the tree that attracts the most birds. With that in mind I can understand the challenge of forest conservation to not just preserve trees but to preserve those individual trees that have all the elements needed by birds.
Read MoreA walk around Wanniassa Hill Nature Reserve on Sunday, 5 August 2018
I was taking our green waste to the Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre early on Sunday morning, which I thought was the perfect excuse to then do some bird photography. I got going early so I could hit the Wanniassa Hill Nature Reserve while the morning light was still shining on it. Given the way the sun was coming up in the north-east I went to the north facing slope at the start to use the available light. The birdlife was a bit sparse initially, with some small wrens flitting from shrub to shrub while crows and parrots flew high overhead. I thought I had chosen the wrong place but eventually the birds came out in a way I was able to photograph. Below are the results.
Read MoreWeston Park on Sunday, 29 July 2018
Sunday's weather could not seem to decide what it was going to do. I really wanted to go out to take some photographs so I took a chance on how the weather, and therefore lighting, would pan out. The clouds kept covering the sun but every now and then there was enough light to make the trip to Weston Park in Canberra, worthwhile. Initially, as I wandered around the park, it seemed that the birdlife had gone somewhere else for the day. Sure, there were Australian Wood Ducks, Magpies, Magpie-larks, etc; the birds that you see everyday but there did not seem to be any other species of birds. That was until I found this one tree. I am not sure what it was about this tree but it seemed to attract a vast range of birds including Satin Bowerbirds, a Grey Fantail, Crimson Rosellas, etc; all within a space of 20 minutes. That was when the morning turned around, then I started seeing some birdlife. It was a lovely walk and I hope you enjoy the photos below.
Read MoreA walk around Red Hill on Saturday, 21 July 2018
Saturday morning was cold but another lovely day to go for a walk around Red Hill in Canberra. I really noticed the morning chorus of bird calls as I climbed the hill. With the sun rising earlier every day after the winter solstice the light was flooding over the terrain with its golden rays. The birds dominating the sounds of the hill at the moment are the Australian Wood Ducks. Winter is still here but I am being optimistic that the Wood Ducks are starting to think about breeding, which, to me, means spring is on the way.
Read MoreA foggy walk on Sunday, 15 July 2018
This morning was cold and foggy around where I live. I was initially hesitant to go for a walk thinking the fog would cut down the natural light so I would not be rewarded with any good photographs for braving the sub-zero weather. Initially my walk started out like I feared with not much bird life. However, I went further up Red Hill to see what I could find, which turned out to be the best option. I saw some Crimson Rosellas feeding, which I used to practice fill flash photography with. I was happy with the results but the small branches in the way meant the photographs were really not worthwhile. I also found another group of Satin Bowerbirds, which were too quick while being too much in the shade to properly photograph. The other birds I saw, which I was able to photograph, are below.
Read MoreAt the Bird Bath on Monday, 9 July 2018
I had just arrived home this morning after finishing off some personal errands when I saw a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo enjoying some seed from the hanging feeder. I thought it was too good an opportunity to miss so I grabbed the camera. As I headed out to take some shots I noticed a Pied Currawong enjoying a bath so I snapped a few shots of it first. I love the shot at the top of the blog. Pied Currawongs have a bit of a bad reputation as birds that attack the nests, eggs and young of other birds. Although, around my neighbourhood the Currawongs tend to come off third best. Often they seem to find a source of food on the ground then a Noisy Miner comes to chase them off. While the Miner is still chasing the Currawong a Magpie will arrive to eat whatever the Currawong had started on.
Read MoreLorikeets in Sydney on Sunday, 8 July 2018
I know these shots are not great. I hesitated to post them but eventually I decided to upload them as they do show the beautiful colours of the Rainbow Lorikeet, even if the sharpness of the image is lacking. These are such lovely birds that are so entertaining to watch. I was in Sydney over the weekend so I took my camera hoping to get a photograph of some birdlife. I was out early on Sunday morning and I was only able to snap these birds when they were almost backlit. While the photos are not great, I did enjoy seeing these birds. They are so agile crawling over plants to get at the nectar, they are also accomplished flyers with their loud cries alerting you to their imminent arrival. I observed two pairs come along at different times to feed on this Banksia tree. There were more pairs flying around the eastern suburbs neighbourhood of Sydney I was in at the time but they appeared to be flying to other food sources. A Noisey Miner did land on a tree nearby but did not make any effort to interfere with the feeding birds.
Read MoreMorning walk on Friday, 6 July 2018
I took the day off work to carry out some personal errands, which also gave me an excuse to walk back from Phillip. I took my camera with me as I was walking in the morning so I was hopeful I would be able to take photos of the birds I encountered along the way. It was a windy morning with clouds blowing across the sun but I was still able to take some photos. The light could have been better but it was not too bad. I found some more Satin Bowerbirds as well as a flock of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, who I sat and watched for a little while.
Read MoreMorning walk on Saturday, 30 June 2018 - pigeons and rosellas
I had a quick walk on Saturday morning, 30 June 2018, as I had a few things to do that day. I decided not to walk too far but to stay in the park nearby so that I could use the good available light to try to capture some good quality. My timing over the last few weeks has been terrible so I tend to shoot photos in bad light meaning my ISO is always 1600 or higher so there is often a lot of noise in the picture. I had also been watching videos about how to use Adobe Lightroom so I figured a few good photos would help me learn. I think I did well with the photo at the head of this post. These two Crested Pigeons nicely posed on the above-street power line for me, giving me a nice photo. My wife titled it 'Dispute.' Just after this photo was taken, first one, then the other flew down to the ground directly below their perching location to feed on the grass.
Read MoreA walk around the Federal Golf Course on 23 June 2018
Saturday morning was shrouded in fog for most of Canberra until well after the best light for photography had gone. I felt somewhat cheated by losing a morning when I could have been out practicing my photography while enjoying the birdlife around the area. Later in the day I went out well before sunset to see what I could find to photograph. Even when I went out the sun was already low over the ridge of Red Hill meaning there was not much good light left. It is also that time of the year when there does not seem to be much diversity in the birdlife, just those birds who stay all year round. I also wondered if the short winter days made it harder for birds to feed in the afternoon and still have enough light to return to their night time locations. Despite what I have just written, I still enjoyed going for the walk as well as having a chance to see another part of Red Hill.
Read MoreCasuarina Sands Reserve on 17 June 2018
Well my wife decided I was definitely crazy this morning when I left for the golden hour in apparent sub-zero temperatures to go to Casuarina Sands Reserve on the Murrumbidgee River, about 20 minutes drive from the centre of Canberra. The drive was quiet, with few cars on the road. Casuarina Sands Reserve itself is a peaceful. little area on the southern bank of the Murrumbidgee River in the Cotter area. There is a sealed-road carpark with flush toilets. The light was not great as the sun was just making it over the surrounding hills at the time I had to return home. What sunlight there was struggled to cast any brightness on the area as there were a few clouds hanging about. With all that said, I am keen to return on a more suitable day as the location was a lovely spot with a lot of potential for birding as well as bird photography. The photos below are not great because of the lighting but I saw today as a good chance to work on the exposure triangle to try to get some good shots. I have also purchased Adobe Lightroom so I am trying out my editing skills as well. As always, I hope you like the photos.
Read MoreFox on the run
I am the first to admit these phots are not in focus. I feel that I missed this opportunity. I was out for my usual walk around Red Hill with my camera this morning as a way to practice with it while also just admiring the wildlife that exist so close to my house. During my walk I heard a group of Noisy Miners squawking their warning call. I saw some Eastern Grey Kangaroos bound away then a rabbit followed suit. Neither of these animals made sense as the cause of concern to the miners, yet the birds were still calling while heading in my direction. I wondered if it was a dog loose who had spooked them. Then I saw the slight red rushing along the ground, realising there was fox out. The Miners were chasing the fox. There were four miners taking turns swooping the fox, while alerting their kin, along with the rest of the area. I realised this scene was approaching the fire trail I was on, and would cross it not far away from me. I switch my camera, took a site, thought I was in manual without checking then I also forgot to focus. Fortunately, I was not in manual and the setting did not focus automatically on the fax. I had done a good enough job in getting the camera positioned so I was ready to capture the action but I had forgotten to check the setting as well as to use the proper focus procedure. Even though these pictures are worse than even my learning standard currently is I wanted to post them as the subject matter is interesting. The fox is easily seen in all three photos while the birds are a bit more challenging. In the top photo the Miner is at about 1 o'clock to the fox, in the middle photo the bird is now forward of the fox at about 11 o'clock while in the final photo their are two birds; one forward at about 11 o'clock and one behind, low to the ground, in the shadow at about 3 o'clock. After they cleared the track I could hear the birds continue on until they were out of ear shot. I suspect the fox did not have a bird breakfast this morning.
Read MoreA walk around Jerrabomberra Wetlands on 11 June 2018
I went out for another photographing trip to the Jerrabomberra Wetlands at the eastern end of Lake Burley Griffin on Monday, 11 June 2018. There were at least two other people out photographing birds, as well as a number of people with binoculars looking at the wildlife. The wetlands are a wonderful place to wander around while losing track of time, even on a cold Canberra morning. The bird life is always plentiful. As an example of the birdlife, I have started this post with a picture of some Eurasian Coots. I am not sure what it is about these birds but I find them a beautiful creature. Maybe it is the basic black plumage. In photographing them, I have really been drawn to their red eyes against the black plumage. I know it is wrong to anthropomorphise animals but those eyes make me think they have, what can only be described as, an evil eye.
Read MoreCheeky Corellas at the Federal Golf Course
On the afternoon of Saturday, 10 June 2018, I was out walking around my local area trying our a new tripod I had purchased that day. Unfortunately, I had waited too long before going out so I missed the afternoon sun. While I was walking the last rays where just striking the slopes of Red Hill, so I knew I did not have much decent light left. When I was walking past the Federal Golf courseit was hard to miss the flocks of Sulphur-crested Cockatoosand Corellas on the greens, as well as a number of kangaroos. There was one brave golfer who was not yet ready to hand the links over to the wildlife shift before he finished his final holes. I used the birds as subjects for some telephoto work with my tripod, even though the light was not the best, hence why these shots are grainy. I was not going to post them but I had to share the playful Corellas. Initially I thought these Little Corellaswere eating, with maybe the odd squabble, until I noticed the swinging flag. I then realised that some birds were enjoying swinging not just on the flag pole but also on the flag. I cannot be certain these birds were playing but it looked a lot like playing to me. If the Federal ever wonders why they go through so many flags I guess they know the reason now. A fun way to say goodbye to the day.
Read MoreSunday morning walk on 3 June 2018
I enjoy going out for a Sunday morning walk as many birds are starting their day with birdcalls as well as feeding. People are also very understanding, when they see me taking photos, they wait for me to finish so that they do not scare the birds. Canberra has a wonderful assortment of birds making any morning walk an enjoyable experience. I was happy with this morning's walk as I was able to get some good photos of Australian King Parrots and the there were even some female Satin Bowerbirds out.
Read More